Device for counteracting recoil in guns.



S. N. MOGLEAN.

PATBNTED MAR. 2s, 1905.

DEVICE PQR 'COUNTERAGTING REGOIL IN GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26., 1904.

mlm-xl e' Form-m' Evi hummm /w/MM 2 sums-SHEET 1.

ANo. 785,973. PATENTED MAR. 28, 1905..-

S. N. MoGLEAN. DEVICE FOR COUNTBRACTING RECOIL 4IN GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, 1904.

a SHEETS-HEBT z.

5 tile by the barrel itself has ceased, and as NrTED STATES SAMUEL N. MeoLEAN,

Patented Maren 2s, 1905.

PATENTl OFFICE.

OF CLEVELAND',-` OHIO.

DEVICE Fon COUNTERACTING RECON. IN GUNS.

SPEGIFIGATIoN forming' part ef Lettere Application tiled January 26,- 1904. Serial No. 190,741,

10 a/Z/ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL N. MCCLEAN, of

Cleveland, Ohio, have invented a new and. useto control the powder energies for various.

other purposes in and about the gun.

The invention is applicable to all kinds of lirearms, including hand and shoulder vfirearms, machine-guns, and ordnance.

ln the common gun thepowderlgases push the projectile through the barrel and escape at the muzzle, performing the sole function of driving the projectile, and the powder energies are dissipated in such manner as to produce aseries of correlated-and coacting strains which are injurious to -the gun and its mount,

with the associated structure, and involves complex and costly construction 'of great weight and diflicult operation, withV great danger of breakage and other injurious eifects. The recoil of lthe gun is due in part to the reaction of the powder-gases between the gun and projectile and in part to the reaction of the powder blast between the gun and the air in front of the gun after the projectile leaves the gun.

For the purpose of overcoming" the recoil in guns it has heretofore been proposed -to attach a cap, nozzle, or other structure in front of the muzzle of the barrel, which structures` are provided with openings for the passage of the projectile and a surface or` surfaces against which the gases impinge after they escape from the Vmuzzle of the barrel, said gases ultimately escaping in a forward or both forward and lateral direction. Such structures are open to several objections. Unless they are made so heavy as to be cumbersome they are liable to blast issuing from the muzzle-of the barrel. Moreover, they perform their function after the projectile has left the muzzle of the barrel, and hence after the control of the projet;-

be blown olf 'by the powder Patent No. 785,973, dated meren 28, 1905.

greatest violence of the recoil occurs at the instant when the projectile leaves the muzzle serve to oppose rather than to prevent or reduce the amount of the recoil. y l,

It is one object of the prese-nt invention to utilize the energy of the gases `in opposition to the recoil and to also lessen the energy of recoil by diminishing that part of the recoil gun and the air in front of the muzzle.

With these objects in View the invention consists in the provision of means whereby the gases of discharge before they issuefrom the guns muzzle may exert a portion of their energy in opposition to the recoil and at the same time have their tension, direction of trolled that the recoil due to the reaction of the gas which issues from the muzzle of the gun shall be minimized and the injurious blast of discharge eliminated. Y 'f More specilically stated, the invention consists in a gun-barrel formed to present on the in t'erior wallsl of the barrel itself and to the rear of its muzzle a series of consecutively'- arrauged areas of resistance to the forward iiow of the powder-gases, in association with a system of vents, also formedin the walls of the gun-barrel proper, for controlling both the striking energy and direction of movement -of the .powder-gases. The areas of resistance to the How of the gases, as well as the vents associated therewith, are formed in the muzzle portion of the gun-barrel itself, (as contradistinguished'from astr-ucture carried infront of the barrels muzzle; but said muzzle portion of the barrel may be either integrally formed with or detachably secured to the rest ofthe gun-barrel.

, In the form of the invention chosen for illustration the gun-barrel is formedwith a serie sof circumferential grooves or a gradually-deepening spiral groove on its interior, associated with a series of lateral rearwardlyinclined vents so constructed and proportioned that the gases s hall impinge upon the surfaces ofthe grooves, and thus exert a pull .in opposition ing upon said surfaces lthe Vgases will escape lof the barrel it follows that these devices only due to the reaction of the gases between the to the recoil, and after impingmovement, .and velocity and quantity so coni in a rearward direction through the vents, the resulting reaction of the vented gases upon the air offering a further opposition to the recoil. gases through the rearwardly-inclined lateral vents not only offers opposition to the recoil in the manner described, but also greatly decreases their quantity, tension, and velocity of movement, and hence the energy of the gases which issue from the guns muzzle, and thereby greatly diminishes that portion of the recoil of the gun due to the reaction of the gases between the gun and the 'air in front of the gun. The grooves are preferably formed with their forward walls in planes substantially at right angles to the bore of the gun and their rear Walls in planes oblique to the gun-bore and slanting forward and outward from the gun-bore toward the outer edge of the forward walls of the grooves. This enables the powder-gas to impinge upon the forward walls of the grooves with its maximum pulling power.

To secure 'the best results, the area of the vents associated with each groove or surface of resistance should bear such a relation to the area of resistance as to secure the desired striking energy of the powder-gases on the resistance-surfaces and the desired reaction of the gases escaping from the rearwardlyinclined vents, and at the same time obtain the requisite reduction in the quantity, velocity, and tension of the gases issuing from the muzzle to minimize the part of the recoil due to this cause.

Preferably the area of resistance is arranged so as to gradually increase from the rear toward the muzzie, the area of the vents associated with the resistance surface or surfaces increasing in the same way. Thus when the area of resistance takes the form ofgn'terior circumferential grooves the smallest or shallowest groove is the one farthest removed from the muzzle, and the grooves gradually increase in depth as the muzzle is approached. Also when the areaof resistance is in the form of a continuous spiral circumferential groove 'its shallowest end is the one farthest from the muzzle, and it gradually increases in depth as it approachesthe muzzle. In either of the forms of groove mentioned the deeper the groove the larger will `be the combined area of the vents associated therewith; This results not only in the required reaction of the gases escaping from the vents to resistV the recoil, but also in the reduction of the strikingenergy of the gases which eventually issue from the muzzle, so that the recoil due to this latter cause is largely eliminated, or if not eliminated is reduced to a point where it is easily controlled.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are intended -merely to illustrate certain forms which the invention may assume,

l and not as defining its scope, Figure 1 is a cen- Moreover, this venting of the;

` section of a modified form of the invention,

tral vertical longitudinal section of the muzzle end of a gun-barrel with my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of. Fig. l, and Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal while Figs. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional details.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, reference-numeral 1 indicates the muzzle end of the gunbarrel,' which is preferably provided with walls gradually increasing in thickness from the rear part forward until it acquires its greatest thickness at 2, from which point the walls may, if desired, be made lighter, as shown at 3. A. series of interior' circumferential grooves 4 is formed in the walls of the muzzle portion of the' barrel. The front faces 5 of each grooveaord an area of resistance to the forward fiow of the gas-current, and such faces 5 are preferably in planes substan- .tially at right langles to the guns bore, while the rear faces 6 are inclined forward and outward from the bore. 1t will be observed that the grooves 4 gradually increase in depth from the rear forward, whereby each groove offers a greater area of resistance to the iioW of the gas-current than is offered by the groove immediately preceding it. Moreover, it will be noted that the gradual increase in the thickness of the wal ls of the gun guards against any undue weakening of the walls of the barrel by this increase in the depth of the grooves. Preferably the grooves do not extend to the extreme muzzle of the barrel, a portion 7 being left entirely free from grooves). Vents 8 are provided in the walls of the barrel and are symmetrically arranged in' association with some or all of the grooves or areas of resistance and are inclined outward and rearward. As here shown, there are a numberof these rearwardly-inclined vents symmetrically arranged in relation to each area of resistance 5; but manifestly some of these areas of resistance might be formed without the vents, if desired. Since the area of the vents associated with a'ny given area of resistance should be proportioned thereto, it will be noted that the vents 8 gradually increase in size from the rearmost series forward. Moreover, for the purpose of distributing the gases escaping from all the vents over as wide a zone'as possible the angle of inclination of the vents gradually increases from the rear forward, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1. The outward inclination of all the vents, however, is such as to leave a clear zone to the rear around the breech of thegun that will befree from the effects of the gases escaping through the vents. This IOC eifectually guards against any injury to the A gunner from this source.- Preferably the vents associated with one area of resistance are in staggered relation with the vents associated with the next area of resistance, so as'to avoid weakening the walls of the gun-barrel to too great an extent along any given longitudinal line.

In Fig. 3 is shown a modification wherein the area of resistance to the forwardly-moving gas-current issecured by forming a circumferential spiral groove 9 of slight pitchon the interior of the bore of the gun. Preferably this groove is of gradually-increasing depth from its rearmost end foreward, and the vents 8 associated therewith gradually increase in diameter from the rear of the groove forward.- The front face 10 of the groove is formed to afford an effective area of resistance to the ad Vancing gas-current, and the vents are to the rear of but in'closeproximity to this face and preferably are located along the groove of the riiiing that the action of the lands of the'rifling upon the projectile shall not be interfered with. "In Fig. 3 there is also shown a screw-thread 11, formed ina counter-boreJ at the rear of the area of resistance, whereby the muzzle portion 1 of the barrel may main portion of the barrel for cleaning, inspection, &c., though this is not essential,as the muzzle portion 1 of the barrel may be separably connected to or -integrally formed with the rest of the barrel, as desired. j

As shown in Fig. 4, the inclined vents 8 areshown inclined outward from the guns axis, but in a longitudinal thus formed the reaction of the gases issuing from the vents will tend` only to move the gun forward; but in Fig. 5 the vents 12 are notv only inclined outward from the guns axis,

but are' also oblique to a longitudinal radialplane passing through the walls of the gun, and in this case the reaction of lthe gases issu-V ing from the vents 12 is not only in opposition to the recoil, but is also in opposition to the tendency of the gun-barrel to twist or turn under the iniuence of the riiiing.` v

While the drawings herein show the vents as always associated with areas of resistance, it will be understood that this is not absolutely essential,`as a partofthe benefits of the invention would be obtained by the employment of areas of resistance d'isassociated frointhe vents, as Well as the lemployment of vents which are not' in immediate relation with the areas of resistance.

l Preferably when vventsareformed with;- out the grooves constituting vareas of resistance they are located to .the rear of'that part having grooves formed therein, thereby serv-y ing to utilize the energy of the gases'befoie they reach that part of the barrel where the resistance areas of the groovesare utilized. Moreover, these vents thus formed to the rear of the grooves will'also offer some resistance areas to the forward flow of the gases, as well as securing lthe advantages' arising from the deflection, reversing, and reduction of the gascurrent. It will also be understood that the portion 7, which is forward of the areas of resistance and vents, may be made longer or between the lands thereof, so

be detached from the.'

.radial plane passing through the walls of the gun-barrel, and when ance to the shorter, asv may 'be required, and that tlic length of said portion will determine the du.-

ration of time within which the gases shall act on'the areas 'of resistance and the vents. In the arrangements of the .vents of either character the interior ends ofthe vents# preferably follow the ride-grooves, as shown in Fig. 1, andwhen, the areas of resistance are in the groove, as shown in Fig.- 3, the vents are preferably arranged so-as not onlyl to follow the s groove constitutingthe area'of resistance` but pear from an inspection of Fig'. 3.

ranged in series extending entirely around the I barrel, it will beunderstood that the invention is not limited'to-this specific construction, as.` and in some cases are arthe vents may be ranged on .the right and left hand sides ofthe barrel. Infact, -the vents may be arranged -in a variety of ways without departing from the i'nvention.' and described the fundamental principles of While I vhave herein shown 5 one form ofthe invention wherein the resist- I ance areas are inthe' form of a spiral groove with vents associated there- Within the barrel, with and leading through the wallsof the barform'of a continuous 'circumferential the rinde-grooves as well, as will clearlyaprel, the sarneis not speciically claimed hercin, as such specific construction forms'the subject -matter of ar divisional application lfiled February 18, 1904. l

1. A gu'nbarrel 'having interior circumfer- .ential areas of 'resistance to the flow of the gases of discharge and rearwardly-inclined lateral ventsextending through the walls of the barrel from points adjacent to, but to the rear of said areas of resistance. 7

2. A gun-'barrel having interior circumferential grooves and rearwardlyinclined lateral vents extending through the walls of the barrel from said grooves. i

3.' A gun-barrel formed with areas ofresistforward flow of the gases of discharge onits interior surface near, but to the rear of the muzzle, and rearwardly-inclinedlateral 4vents extending through `the barrel in proximity to said areas of resistance.. A

4. A gun-barrel formed with a pl rality of grooves on its interior surface near, but to the rear "of the muzzle, and

rearwardly-inclined roo lateral vents .extending through the barrel in proximity-to said grooves.

5. Agun-barrelprovided with a plurality of resistance-surfaces sociated with a series' of rearwardly-inclined lateral vents in proximity tosaid resistancesurfaces, the aggregate areaiof the several series of vents decreasing from the muzzle rearward.' L

A gun-,barrel provided with a'plyurality of rearwardly-facing surfaces on its interior, and a plurality of -proximity to said surfaces.

for the powder-gases, as-` rearwardly-inclined vents in 7. A gun-barrel having a plurality of rear- `wardlyfacing surfaces disposed on its interlol" in planes substantially normal to the axis of the barrel, and a plurality of rearwardly-inclined vents in proximity to said surfaces.

8. A gun-barrel provided with a plurality of rearwardly-facing surfaces on its interior, and a plurality of rearwardly-inclined sym metrically-arranged vents in proximity to said surfaces.

9. A gun-barrel having a plurality of rearwardly-facing resistance-surfaces on its interior, the areas of the several surfaces decreasing from the muzzle rearward, and rearwardly-inclined vents in proximity to said surfaces.

10. A gun-barrel having a plurality of rearwardly-facing resistance-surfaces on its interior, the areas of the several surfaces decreasing from the muzzle rearward, and a plurality of rearwardly-inclined vents in proximity to said resistance-surfaces, the aggregate area of the vents associated with the respective surfaces decreasing from the muzzle rearward.

11. A gun-barrel having a plurality of annular rearwardly-facing surfaces on its interior, thearea of each surface being less than that of the one in front of it, and a series of y rearwardly-inclined vents located to the'rear of each surface. v

12. A gun-barrel having a plurality of annular rearwardly-facing surfaces on its interior, the area of each surface being less than that of the one in front of it, and a series of rearwardly-inclined vents located to thel rear of each surface, the aggregate area of each series of vents being less than that of the series next in front of it.

13. A gun-barrel having a plurality of aunular grooves formed on its interior near the muzzle, each of said grooves being of less depth than the one immediately in front of it, and the forward surface of the grooves being normal to the axis of the gun, While the rear surface is inclined atan angle thereto, and rearwardly-inclined vents in proximity to said surfaces. I

14. A gun-barrel havingl a series of spirally-arranged rearwardly-inclined vents in the walls thereof.

15. A gun-barrel having a plurality'of resistance-shrfaces formed on its interior, and a spirally-arranged series of rearwardly-im clined. vents each of* which is in proximity to one of'said resistance-surfaces.

16. A rifled gun-barrel having a plurality of resistance-surfaces formed on its interior, and a plurality of rearwardly-inclinedvents terior circumferential the angle of inclination ofv the vents of one.

series differing from the angle of inclination of the vents of another series.

19. A gun-barrel havinga plurality of series of rearwardly-inclined vents formed in its walls, the angle of inclination of the vents of any series being less than the corresponding angle of the series of vents adjacent thereto on its muzzle side.

20. A gun-barrel having a series of rear- Wardly-inclined vents in the walls thereof, and a second series of rearwardly-inclined vents between the muzzle and the irstnamed series, the angle of inclination of the vents of the first series being less than that of the second.

21. A gun-barrel havingits walls thickened near its muzzle portion and an interior circumferential groove formed in said thickened portion with lateral vents leading through said portion.

22. A gun-barrel having its wal ls thickened near its muzzle portion and an interior circumferential groove formed` in said thickened portion with lateral rearwardly-inclined vents leading through said portion.

23. A gun-barrel havingits walls gradually thickened near the muzzle and a series of ingrooves the grooves of the series gradually increaing in depth with the increase in the thickness of the walls, and lateral vents associated with said grooves, the cross-sectional areas of said vents gradually increasing as the thickness of the walls and the depth of the grooves increase.

24. 'A gun-barrel having agroove on its interior and a series of .cbliquely-inclined vents leading through the Walls of the gun from said groove.

25. A gun-barrel having a groove on its interior and a series of rearwardly-inclined vents leading through the walls of the gun from said groove.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses. 1

SAMUEL N. MCCLEAN. Witnesses:

REEvE LEWIS, GUs'rAvE R. THOMPSON.

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